Aquilegia elegantula

(Red Columbine)

_DSC1056%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3523

D81_1060%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co. 6229

D81_1060%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3535

_DSC1056%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5452

_DSC1056%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5331

_DSC1056%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5466

_DSC1056%20copy

Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3525

Scientific Name Aquilegia elegantula USDA PLANTS Symbol AQEL
Common Name Shooting Star Columbine, Red Columbine, Western Red Columbine ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 18735
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (6500 to 11800 ft); moist hillsides, forest edges and openings.
Plant: Erect perennial, 4 to 24 inches tall, slender stems.
Leaves: Bright green, hairless, mostly basal leaves growing on long stalks divided into three leaflets up to about 1-1/4 inches across, further divided into three smaller lobes.
Inflorescence: Drooping red blossoms on slender, curved stalks, each with 5 petal-like sepals with reddish bases and greenish tips angling downward; 5 bright yellow to red petals that taper into upward (or backward)-pointing straight spurs; yellow stamens.
Bloom Period: May to July.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, American Southwest, and SEINet.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County